Carleton University’s Global Water Institute has received a $230,000, 1.5-year grant from Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Zero Plastic Waste Funding Initiative to help foster significant growth in the Canadian freshwater plastics detection/removal technology development sector. The award is one of 14 grants issued, totaling more than $1.8 million over two years.
This grant will allow Dr. Banu Ormeci, a professor in Environmental Engineering, Jarislowsky Chair in Water and Health, Canada Research Professor, and the Director of the Global Water Institute at Carleton University, to carry out innovative research on the monitoring of microplastics in freshwater systems and the removal of microplastics and microfibers from wastewater. The research will be geared towards the needs of Canadian technology providers so that research results can find immediate uptake and applications in the field. In addition, these funds will support our industrial partners with finding new installation sites (i.e., watershed monitoring stations, treatment plants) through our national and international networks.
“This support will maintain the great momentum we’d gathered last year and focus water technology industry attention on the capacity available here in the National Capital Region.” Dr. Ormeci said. “Carleton University is a leader in water and wastewater research, so it makes sense for the university’s Global Water Institute to drive progress with industry innovators in this challenging new area.”
As project installations begin immediately, opportunities for collaborative support are still available for plastics monitoring and detection technology developers. Contact Evan Pilkington, Manager of Operations with the Global Water Institute to discuss how the Institute can help minimize risk and increase exposure for innovative microplastics detection solutions.
Carleton University’s Global Water Institute is the only research-intensive water institute in Canada’s National Capital Region and undertakes nationally and internationally important research in collaboration with its research partners. The Institute facilitates research and business development partnerships for water sector organizations, strengthens relationships between public and private sector partners, and increases awareness of domestic and international water issues.
For more information please contact Evan Pilkington, Manager of Operations at evan.pilkington@carleton.ca